Thousands of dangerous batteries, chargers and devices pulled in safety campaign

Residents in the East of England will be safer after nearly 9,000 potentially dangerous batteries, chargers and devices were removed from sale and recalled from consumers.  

The work was carried out by Trading Standards services across the Eastern region and follows a similar project last year that resulted in 1,800 unsafe lithium-ion batteries and chargers being removed from the market. Lithium-ion batteries are found in a large number of household devices, including laptops, mobile phones, vacuum cleaners and cordless power tools and can pose a serious fire risk.  

The campaign saw Trading Standards services from across the East of England buy and test 18 items from laptop and e-scooter chargers to cordless screwdrivers, primarily from online marketplaces. All but one sample failed to provide the correct information as required by law, with 14 also failing on safety grounds, including risk of electric shock, fire and explosion.  

The work, which is ongoing, has so far resulted in 8,798 batteries, chargers and devices being removed from sale and recalled from those who have already bought them. The number has risen sharply from last year's project because of higher numbers of stock being held and more recall action.  

Graham Crisp, Head of Trading Standards at Norfolk County Council, said: "These results show that buying devices, chargers and batteries from reputable retailers is really important.  

"While our officers work to remove these items from sale and recall them from people's homes, we would like people to avoid buying from third party sellers on online marketplaces - even if it means spending a bit more money. This really is about us all working to keep you and your loved ones safe." 

Emyr Gough, Head of Prevention and Protection at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Lithium-ion battery fires can be fast, fierce and fatal and sadly, we are seeing a rising number of this type of fire in the county as people have more and cheaper devices, chargers and batteries in their homes because finances are stretched.  

"We thank our colleagues in Trading Standards for working on this important issue and urge people to buy these items safely, charge them safely and dispose of them safely."  

People are advised to only charge devices for the recommended amount of time and not while they are asleep or out of the house, as this could lead to a fire becoming much more serious.  

For more advice on staying safe with lithium-ion batteries, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/lithiumbatteries

If you believe you have purchased a sub-standard product, you can report it to Trading Standards by contacting our partners the Citizen's Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.  

If any device catches fire in your home, leave, call 999 and do not go back inside.